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Committee hears questions on Consumer Camera Privacy Act; sponsor says opt‑in required
Summary
S.9267 would require a clear opt‑in before consumer camera data (for example, doorbell cams) is linked to cloud services; committee members asked about law‑enforcement exceptions and whether opt‑in is revocable. Sponsor and staff said opt‑in is required and opt‑out would be possible later.
Sen. May presented S.9267, the Consumer Camera Privacy Act, which would require device owners to clearly affirmatively opt in before their camera data is linked to cloud services or made available outside personal use. The sponsor said the bill grew from consumer concerns about automatic sharing and cloud linkage.
Ranking Member Senator Canzoneri Fitzpatrick questioned whether exigent law‑enforcement needs (for example, locating a missing child or responding to a safety emergency) would be impeded by an opt‑in requirement and whether opt‑in is permanent or revocable. "I understand that you'd be able to get consent or get a warrant. Both of those could take time," the senator said, urging consideration of narrow exceptions for urgent public‑safety uses.
The sponsor and staff said the bill requires a clear opt‑in separated from purchase and that device owners could later opt out; they agreed to take the law‑enforcement balance question back for drafting consideration. The committee moved the bill and reported it to first reading on the calendar.
